Why Do We Grieve Celebrities?

August 20, 2014 12:35 PM

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The passing of acclaimed actor Robin Williams and Hollywood icon Lauren Bacall last week left many fans mourning in their wake. While thousands of sympathetic citizens expressed their grief, others were left dumbfounded over such personal reactions. You didn't know him, many thought, so why are you this upset?

The truth is, there's no rulebook when it comes to grief, explains David Kaplan, Ph.D., chief professional officer of the American Counseling Association. The emotion is so swallowing and vast that it's hard to pinpoint why it manifests in the ways that it does. But just because we can't explain it ...